Transportinfo.org.uk - today's transport news in the uk, hand picked for you each morning

Tuesday, 02 February 2016

BBC News

• Reading businesses criticise £500m Heathrow rail link delayA delay of almost two years in building a new £500m Heathrow rail link has been criticised by businesses.

Department for Transport

• Track worker safety outside possessionsClass investigation into accidents and near misses involving trains and track workers outside possessions.
• Launch of the Rail Supply Group’s sector strategyThe rail supply chain now has an agreed plan for how it will grow in numbers, productivity and expertise.

The Guardian

• Choo choo! The creepy genius of Michael Portillo's railway showsLike an embarrassing dad, Portillo has an undeniable passion for railways and bucketloads of ham. Which is why he is so utterly, unstoppably watchableI have a small apology to make. A little over a year ago, confronted by a new series of Great Continental Railway Journeys, I wrote a piece confessing that I couldn’t stand its presenter. Michael Portillo, I said, seemed slimy and ill at ease on camera. I said he looked lacquered, that he dressed like an early 1990s gameshow contestant. The show itself was great, but I argued that this was despite Portillo, not because of him.But now I’m here to ...

The Telegraph

• Tube drivers to strike this weekend, causing potential chaos next MondayUnion members to stage a 48-hour strike from 9pm on Saturday in dispute over ticket office closures

Belfast Telegraph

• Call to open rail link to Belfast International AirportAlliance Party MLA Trevor Lunn called for better future planning and claimed the arrival of Ryanair was likely to bring a significant jump in passenger numbers.

London Evening Standard

• Westminster Tube station evacuated: Station closed due to 'security alert'Westminster station was closed at the height of rush hour due to a "security alert" this morning.
• Boris Johnson: Sadiq Khan must 'man up' and condemn night Tube strikesBoris Johnson today called on Sadiq Khan to "man up" and condemn Tube strike plans from transport union RMT.
• Landslip causes travel disruption on Southern, London Midland and Virgin Trains services to Euston and Clapham JunctionCommuter rail services to and from Euston and Clapham Junction are facing disruption after a landslip closed some London bound lines.
• Man Tasered on platform at Victoria Tube stationA man was Tasered by police after behaving aggressively on an Underground platform at Victoria station.

Northern Echo

• Storm Henry causes problems for First TransPennine Express passengers at Newcastle, Chester-le-Street, Durham, Northallerton and Darlington RAIL passengers are facing disruption in the North-East due to Storm Henry.

Other Regional Press

• Could it be the end of the line for the disused Weymouth Tramway? IT could be the end of the line for the disused Weymouth Tramway following proposals to remove the 'hazardous' tracks.

Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport

• �200 million commitment for rail welcomed by East Coast Main Line ConsortiumThe Consortium of East Coast Main Line Authorities (ECMA) today welcomed a £200m investment from the Scottish Government to improve rail links between Aberdeen, the Scottish Central Belt and destinations along the East Coast Main Line. The announcement from Holyrood comes after Prime Minister David Cameron announced Aberdeen would benefit from a £250m City Region Deal to invest in North East Scotland's economy. Keith Brown, Cabinet Secretary of Infrastructure, Investment and Cities, said that, in addition to the City Region Deal, over the next 5-10 years an initial £200m wo...

Railway Gazette

• GE and TMH announce Russian diesel engine joint ventureRUSSIA: A strategic business plan for the formation of a diesel engine manufacturing joint venture...
• Ostl�nken procurement begins as route confirmed SWEDEN: Infrastructure manager Trafikverket expects to start procurement this month for the...

Other News Sources

• Government partners with industry leaders to drive UK rail growthThe Rail Supply Group (RSG) has now launched its strategy to build growth in the UK rail industry and support exports.